Two men, Damien Andre Gates and Brandon Douglas Bynes, were identified as the suspects who shot and killed Merlin Santana in Los Angeles, California, on November 9, 2002. Image and ALMA award nominee Merlin Santana, who recently appeared in the Eddie Murphy movie "Showtime," and had a recurring role on "The Steve Harvey Show," was shot to death while sitting. After the sentencing, the Deputy District Attorney, Greg Dohi said: "This case was tragic all around Merlin Santana was a very gifted actor, and his murder was utterly senseless." July 11, 2017 at . Copyright 2023 by Vizaca. The manner of death is listed . _taboola.push({ David Strickland's acting career was tragically short. He was sentenced last week to 23 years in prison. Santana was best known for his roles as Rudy Huxtable's boyfriend Stanley on The Cosby Show, Marcus Dixon on Getting By, Marcus Henry in Under One Roof and as high school student Romeo Santana on The WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show . From 1986 to 1990, NBC brought its viewersALF, a series about a family sheltering Gordon Shumway, aka the titular ALF a fuzzy, smart-mouthed alien from the planet Melmac who occasionally tried to eat the family cat. TO GOOGLE AND IT'S AFFILIATES: Using copyright material for commentary and criticism is NOT copyright infringement. 9 Nov 2002 (aged 26) Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Merlin Santana on set of the Steve Harvey show. Brandon doesn't speak publicly too much about that horrific night, but he revealed this to Jet Magazine: "It was devastating. Example video title will go here for this video. Hopefully Monique King and her accomplices have been rehabilitated, and we can only pray that Merlin Santanas loved ones have found a way to manage their grief. Santana, 26, who recently appeared in the Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro movie Showtime, was shot to death early Saturday while sitting in the passenger seat of a car parked in south Los. In 2002, he appeared in the VH1 TV movie, Play'd: A Hip Hop Story with Toni Braxton. When Merlin and his friend left the party, they sat in Brandons car for a second or so. We have estimated Merlin Santana's net worth , money, salary, income, and assets. Illicit Deeds is your source for real-life murder cases and riveting mysteries. His killers include 21-year-old Damien Andre Gates and 25-year-old Brandon Douglas Bynes. Heres what happened according to reports: One particular night hes [Merlin Santana] out with his friend, [Brandon] Adams (also a child actorPeople Under the Stairs)at a Chinese restaurant when they met up with a girl and her friend. BRANDON QUINTIN ADAMS: "I WAS DEVASTATEDFOR A LONG TIME". It's been 20 years since child actor/rapper/film star Merlin Santana was shot and killed in the Crenshaw district of California by two random gun men. Brandon doesn't speak publicly too much about that horrific night, but he revealed this to Jet Magazine: "It was devastating. An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works ': What Happened to the Stars of the Iconic Series through the Years, Inside Dick Van Dyke & Decades Younger Wifes Home Where He Shows off Routine He Says Will Get Him to 100, Mickey Rooney Said He 'Died' When 5th Wife Was Killed by Her Lover Yet He Married Her Best Friend, Robin Williams Wanted His Children to Be Proud of Him Meet His 3 Kids Who He Cherished, The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. On his birthday, March 14. Two men, Brandon Douglas Bynes and Damien Andre Gates (no relation to Merlin Santanas friend with the same name) were later arrested and charged with Santanas murder. Deon Richmond was cast as his brother Darren, due to their interaction on The Cosby Show. . All four of them had dinner and went to a club later that night and hung out. On the television, children remain children, and unless the script decrees it, no one ever dies. Merlin Santana at the Il Fornaio Restaurant in Pasadena | Photo: Getty Images. Romeo Santana is a fictional character played by actor Merlin Santana on the television series The Steve Harvey Show. The show aired from 1996 to 2002 and was set in a high school in Chicago, where Steve Harvey played a music teacher named Steve Hightower. He was best known for his roles as Rudy Huxtable's admirer Stanley on The Cosby Show, Marcus Dixon on Getting By, Marcus Henry in Under One Roof and as high school student Romeo Santana on The WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show. Brandon was also a very popular young 90s actor who was cute and talented. Strickland was reportedly off his prescribed medication and upset about much of his role in the 1999 rom-comForces of Naturebeing left on the cutting room floor when he and Andy Dick flew to Las Vegas in March 1999. They got into a car, but before driving off, gunshots targeted at the actor erupted, with a bullet hitting him. He was just 26 years old. Rosario wasn't meant to show up beyond that season one finale, but she proved a popular character. Sitcom Actors You Didn't Know Passed Away. Merlin Santana Cause Of Death & Last Photos. The following night, Gates and Bynes waited for Santana and Adams to leave a house party. Merlin Santana, who was nominated for NAACP Image and ALMA Awards for his recurring role as Romeo Santana on "The Steve Harvey Show" was killed Saturday (Nov. 9) in Los Angeles while sitting in a parked car. The same year that series ended, Santana was murdered in his car in Los Angeles. In 1991, Santana landed a recurring . The cause of his death was a gunshot wound to the head. [Either] the same night or a few days laterMonique met up with some friends of hers, Damien Gates and Brandon Bynes, along with the girl she was with the night she met Merlin. He was 54 years old, a week shy of his 55th birthday. Merlin Santana on IMDb: Movies, Tv, Celebrities, and more. The next day when Mercedes washanging with Merlin he didnt show her the same attention he did the day before and this fueled something in her. He was with his friend and former child actor Brandon Quintin Adams. Duringthe hit sitcomHome Improvement's eight seasons, one of its most popular characters was also its least visible. In 1995, Wright was diagnosed with lymphoma, which went into remission after radiation and chemotherapy treatments. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. It took me a long time to recover from that. Birth. She was 33. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. [] Brandon said he was the one friend of his who couldve had anything that I had.. He was in the regular casts of Getting By and Under One Roof. 21-year-old Damien Andre Gates was convicted of first-degree murder in the murder and sentenced to 70 years to life in prison. Between 1996 and 1999, he played the role of Ohagi on Moesha. Hes 41 years old now, but we Old Schoolers, probably best remember him as the kid who played the mini Michael Jackson in MJs Moonwalk musical/movie back in the day. Saint Raymond's New Cemetery and Mausoleum. . She was 43. Santana and his friend were about to leave when one of the men shot him in the head as he sat in the passenger seat of a car. He was very depressed about his stagnant acting career as he attempted to re-adjust back into regular society. Merlin died at the age of 26 back in 2002. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison. In 2003, Gates was convicted. The pair reportedly bounced from strip club to strip club, partying hard, and on March 22, Strickland was found in his motel room where he'd hanged himself with a bed sheet. Actor Merlin Santana Was Murdered In California Because Of A Lie, New York Woman Charged In War Vets Murder Gets Time Served After Plea Deal. Speaking to ABC News in 2012, Kelly blamed alcoholism for her departure from the sitcom, also saying her alcohol abuse began after she suffered a miscarriage. and her accomplices. Santana was only 26 years old when he was shot in the head by Damien Andre Gates, apparently because Gates erroneously believed Santana had been making sexual advances toward his girlfriend, Monique King, who was a minor at the time. Merlin Santana. After Mel's Diner finally closed its doors, McKeon's acting work was sparse. Why didnt she get as much time as her killer counterparts combined? Santana was pronounced dead at the scene, Lt. Clay Farrell said Sunday. Merlin Santana attends the WB Winter TCA Press Tour All-Star Party on January 6, 2001 at Il Fornaio Restaurant in Pasadena | Photo: Getty Images. guildford school of acting auditions; gilroy google font alternative; cuisinart steamer insert; Blog Post Title February 26, 2018. The friend drove off and flagged down a police car. Merlin Santana was an American actor and rapper. Several fans gave tributes to him which were circulated on social media who would have been 45 this year. Santana, 26, who recently appeared in the Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro movie Showtime, was shot to death early Saturday while sitting in the passenger seat of a car parked in south Los Angeles. At the time of his death he survived by his large extended friends and family. He acquitted King on two lesser charges. The injury eventually led to a brain hemorrhage from which he didn't recover. }); Copyright 2015 . Shortly afterward, he died from his injuries. Wesley. Gates got three consecutive lifesentencesplus70 years in prison. He worked on the other side of the camera starting in the early '90s to the mid-aughts, working as a producer on 1996'sMurder in the Firstand 2005'sThe Jacket,among others. Nearly two decades after the "Steve Harvey Show" icon's death, the survivor is now forty years old, and no longer the teen heartthrob many remember. Sadly, four years after the end of Home Improvement, the man who brought us Wilson had to give another goodbye. Adams managed to drive away but realized as soon as he stopped that Santana had died. She was charged with driving under the influence in North Carolina in 2010, and in 2013,she was arrested for DUI again when she reportedly parked her car on California's I-5 freeway, blocking a lane of traffic. Merlin Santana was an American actor known for his roles in television shows and films. Sam Cooke Soundtrack | Innerspace Simply because Monique was offended that Merlin treated her like a Ms.-hit-it-and-quit-it after she willingly had sex with him on the first night, she thought the man deserved to die over it?!! }); Copyright 2015 . 25-year-old Brandon Douglas Bynes pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon in the case. In 2008, Koenig was arrested for interrupting Pasadena's Rose Parade by blocking a float advertising the Beijing Olympics and holding up a sign that said "China: Free Burma.". Lisa Robin Kelly is best known for her recurring role as Laurie Forman onThat '70s Show. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler, trying the case without a jury, found King guilty of second-degree murder and attempted murder. King, a runaway who was 15 at the time of her arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced April 20. The driver escaped injury, drove off and flagged down police. Copyright 2022 Illicit Deeds | All Rights Reserved. Prosecutors had sought a first-degree murder charge against King in connection with the November 9, 2002 shooting. Growing Pains was an incredibly popular '80s sitcom, and for its first four seasons,Andrew Koenig played Richard "Boner" Stabone, best friend to Kirk Cameron's Mike Seaver. Los Angeles police arrested a female suspect yesterday morning, in connection to actor Merlin Santana's murder. Greg Dohi. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Then, in December 2019, news broke that Morrison had passed away "from heart failure after a brief illness" at the age of 83. Koenig's acting work after Growing Pains wasn't extensive, though he had some other memorable claims to fame. While he'd already appeared on television including on sitcoms likeGood TimesandThe Jeffersons, the role Gary Coleman will always be remembered for is Arnold Jackson onDiff'rent Strokes. For those actors who remain in our memories and in the shows that brought us so much laughter, here are some sitcom actors you may not know have sadly passed away. Somethings are just better unknown. While he died much too young, Merlin Santana had a decades-old career in sitcoms. On November 18, 2002, Santana, age 26, was buried at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in The Bronx borough of New York City. Categories . Please note that we are committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information on this page. The crime took place around 2:30 a.m. when at least one person approached the car and fired at Santana, who was in the passenger seat. From 1976 to 1985, audiences enjoyed the antics happening in Mel's Diner onAlice, a sitcom based on the 1974 Martin Scorsese filmAlice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. The three were arrested soon after the murder of Santana. Al Adamson was a master of kitschy, low-budget horror movies, only to find himself a victim in a story that could have come straight from one of his own films. LOS ANGELES (AP) - Merlin Santana, a television and film actor who appeared in this year's Eddie Murphy movie "Showtime," was shot to death while sitting in a parked car, authorities said Sunday. Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler sentenced Monique King . Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. John Ritter was a staple of American television for decades. It was also discovered that Mercedes had lied to Santana and told him she was of legal age, but the truth is she was really 15SMH. He also appeared on other television shows, including Major Dad, Moesha and Sister, Sister. He also played Stanley, who had a crush on Rudy Huxtable on the hit, The Cosby Show., Independent Journalist + Business Owner | Lover of all things true crime. Image and ALMA award nominee Merlin Santana, who recently appeared in the Eddie Murphy movie "Showtime," and had a recurring role on "The Steve Harvey Show," was shot to death while sitting. The cause of death was a bullet to the head. And over the course of the series, James Avery would become one of the most well-loved father figures on American television as Smith's Uncle Phil. Her story was covered on TV Ones Celebrity Crime Files. She only received a sentencing of 10 YEARS in juvenile hall for her participation in the crime! Best known as Jack Tripper on the long-running sitcomThree's Company, Ritter didn't slow down after that show or its spin-offs ended. Joeanimated series Andrew Koenig starred in one of the most famous fan films of all time. The police later arrested Monique, (who was really 15 and not of age as she had Merlin believe), and her accomplices. Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, ICE detainees allege retaliation for speaking about medical conditions at Otay Mesa center, Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; suspect arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls. Merlin Santana Death: and Cause of Death On November 9, 2002, Merlin Santana died of non-communicable disease. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', A 15-year-old girl is charged with the murder of television and film actor Merlin Santana. Santana, 26, best known for his role as Romeo Santana on "The Steve Harvey Show," was shot as he sat in a parked car in the 3800 block of Victoria Avenue, a quiet residential street in South Los Angeles. Merlin Santana: his birthday, what he did before fame, his family life, fun trivia facts, popularity rankings, and more. After the car plowed through a fence and rolled down an embankment, Bentley was thrown from the car and into traffic, where he was hit by five other vehicles. Santana died at the scene. Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler sentenced Monique King, who was 15 when Santana was killed in November 2002, to a California Youth Authority prison until she turns 25. "Hanging Out" Would Ultimately End His Life While still searching for acting gigs, Merlin would sometimes hang out with his boys and meet women, until that one night when he met the female who would ultimately cause him to meet his death date on November 9, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. In the early '90s, he led the political satireHearts Afireas senatorial aide John Hartman, and he played memorable film roles like the concerned friend and store owner Vaughan in 1996's Oscar-winningSling Blade. 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He was sitting in the passenger seat shortly after 2:30 a.m. when at least one person approached the car and . Morrison was asked to reprise the role of "Ro-Ro" for the 2017 revival ofWill & Grace, but by that point, Morrison had retired from acting for good. She died shortly after checking in to rehab in August 2013. Monique King has had a miserable childhood and this verdict punishes her fairly and gives her a chance to turn her life around.. He'd suffered a number of seizures in the preceding months, and it's believed that may have been what caused the fall. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. ", Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Phylicia Rashad, Tempestt Bledsoe, Bill Cosby, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Lisa Bonet on "The Cosby Show" | Photo: Getty Images, Born on March 10th, 1976, in New York City, Santana began his acting career at the age of ten. It was later learned that the shot that killed Merlin was from the 12 gauge(Gates) and that the handgun (Bynes) never fired a shot because it jammed. Our condolences go out to Merlin Santanas family. It returned, and Wright succumbed to the disease in 2019 at the age of 75. After retrieving their weapons, they learned where Merlin would be, which was at a house party, and waited for him to come out of the house. What I didn't know was the details surrounding his case. The Senseless Murder Of Merlin Santana Aka Stanley Aka Ohagi Aka RomeoThis material is being used for CRITICISM \u0026 COMMENTARY ONLY which is legal under CHAPTER 1 SECTION 107 of the COPYRIGHT LAW OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. King told the men that Santana and his friend had made sexual advances toward her, police said.Santana and his friend were about to leave when one of the men shot him in the head as he sat in the passenger seat of a car. So Im assuming Mercedes is already out of prisonwhat the??? but would've been nice to see that. Fidler, trying the case without a jury, found King guilty of second-degree murder and attempted murder. He was gone but never forgotten. Get the true stories behind the crimes right now. Have something to tell us about this article? Monique King has had a miserable childhood and this verdict punishes her fairly and gives her a chance to turn her life around.. It took me a long time to recover from that. . She also helped them get away after they shot 26-year-old Merlin Santana. "Whatever the situation as, he didn't deserve to die." Merlin Santana was born on March 14, 1976 in New York City, New York, United States, United States, is Actor. Not long after, Santana's character Marcus proved to be one of the most popular parts ofGetting By, a short-lived sitcomabout two single mothers and their children. $14 million dollar house maine; Bynes received 23 years for assault with a deadly weapon and voluntary manslaughter.. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. King left, then later returned outside the residence with Bynes and Gates. His death occurred on November 9, 2002, when he was 26 years old. Brandon immediately called 911 in which Merlin was taken to the hospital but later died. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Brandon doesnt speak publicly too much about that horrific night, but he revealed this to Jet Magazine: It was devastating. Randy Chrisley Is Todd Chrisley's Brother Who Was Diagnosed with Cancer in 2014, Johnny Depp's Weight Gain & Changes in Appearance over the Years, 'Whos the Boss? No motive for the slaying had been reported by investigators. His last television acting role was on the UPN series, Half & Half, while his last film role was in the 2003 comedy film, The Blues with Deon Richmond. We also may remember him for his various roles in TV shows, like A Different World, Moesha, Sister, Sister, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and others. King, who was 15 at the time, falsely accused the deceased of sexually abusing her. Speaking toPeople,Suddenly Susan co-star Nestor Carbonell said Strickland would relapse into drug use "once every two months, sometimes once every six months." The actress went on to reprise the role of Andell on the spin-offThe Parkers. So it can be jarring to see how actors have aged, to learn the trajectories of their lives, and in some cases, to discover they're no longer with us. Before those series, he was Crazy K in 1995's Tales from the Hood. The L.A. County Coroner deemed her death was due to accidental "multiple drug intoxication." All content, including text, and images contained on. A teenage girl was found guilty Tuesday of helping two men kill popular young actor Merlin Santana, making a clean sweep for prosecutors, who earlier won convictions against her two. The father and husband of that family was Willie Tanner, portrayed by Max Wright. Unfortunately, Wilson lost her battle with multiple illnesses in June 2012at the age of 48. Under Review. The girl told Merlin that her name was Mercedes. In January 2005, Bentley was on his way home from the screening of the short filmShards when he got into a single-car accident. Many people paid tributes to the actor and rapper who would have turned 45 years old on March 14th, 2021. Brandon Douglas Bynes, the other suspect who was with Gates during the shooting, received a 23-year sentence after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon. Unfortunately, Wright's lymphoma didn't stay in remission. As soon as we receive more authentic information related to the topic, we will update this page accordingly to ensure that our readers have access to the most reliable and current information available. What happened to Monique King Merlin Santana? For four seasons, Wright played the straight man to the wisecracking ALF puppet, an experience that eventually soured enough that Wright reportedly didn't bother saying goodbye to anyone on his last day of work on the series. Monique King lied to her two accomplices by saying an actor had made sexual advances toward her. . freiberg disease radiology; french past tense conjugation. His character left the show in season four's "Semper Fidelis," when he decided to drop college to join the Marine Corps. that benefits the victims. Merlin Santana (March 14, 1976 - November 9, 2002) was an American actor and rapper. It's a different experience seeing a sitcom star delivering their famous catch phrase when you know they'll never say it, or anything else, again. "Why is it that young people today feel they have no alternative but to murder somebody?" Combien gagne t il d argent ? Atty. [4], Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Remembering Merlin Santana On His 4-Year Death Anniversary", "`Steve Harvey Show` actor shot to death", "Teenage Girl Convicted for Role in Actor's Killing", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Merlin_Santana&oldid=1133914923, Direct-to-video release, (final film role), This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 03:11. Santana was best known for his role as Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show. He earned nominations for the NAACP Image Awards and ALMA Awards, which honor Hispanic performers, for his recurring role as Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show on the WB Network. Santana, 26, of North Hollywood was best known for his role as Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show.. target_type: 'mix' Copyright 2023 by Vizaca. On the season three finale, "A Day in the Life," Stitie's co-workers panic when he goes missing. Audiences didn't get to see the character's entire face until the series finale's curtain call, though in the meantime,Home Improvementoccasionally had fun with the audience by showing the bottom half of his face but not the top. For better or worse, that can change the way we watch those programs. Many fans and social media users paid respects and emotional tributes on Merlins birthday on Sunday, March 14th. That same night, Mercedes and Santana had a consensual one night stand. Salary in 2021. Murder b/c of a Lie, SMDH!! container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', It turned out that Santana met her at a nightclub some nights before his death. RIP Merlin Santana. A 17-year-old girl whose lies prompted two men to kill actor Merlin Santana was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in juvenile prison. Kelly's battle with addiction didn't end well.
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